PVC = Polyvinyl Chloride
- – Vinyl is flame resistant
- – PVC Membranes are flexible
- – PVC is lighter weight that other materials
- – Strong puncture resistance and breaking strength
- – PVC is heat-weldable
- – Vinyl roofs are highly reflective
- – PVC is resistant to chemicals
- – Vinyl is recyclable
PVC, also commonly known as vinyl, is composed of two main components: ethylene and chlorine. Petroleum or natural gas is processed to produce ethylene, while chlorine is derived from salt. In the compounding process, vinyl resin is blended with plasticizers, heat-stabilizers, ultraviolet (UV) light inhibitors, biocides, and color pigments.
A PVC roof is a single-ply membrane composed of two layers of PVC material with a polyester reinforcement scrim in between. The top ply contains special additives that make the membrane UV resistant and prevent curing. Additionally, the top ply contains plasticizers that make the membrane flexible and pigments for color. The bottom ply is a black PVC, containing more plasticizers for flexibility and typically no other additives or fillers. Additionally, polyester or fiberglass reinforcement is added to achieve high tearing and breaking strengths necessary for mechanically fastened single-ply roofing systems.
Duro-Last recycles virtually all its own manufacturing waste. On job sites, it is safer for contractors to handle than other roofing materials that require VOC adhesives, hot tar (which has a very high carbon content, by the way), etc. Unlike other systems, PVC roofs can be recycled at the end of their service lives and Duro-Last has a program in place to do just that.